Gaetz's Senate skeptics praise his decision to withdraw from AG consideration
Some of the Republican senators thought to be opposed to the selection of Matt Gaetz for attorney general because of obstacles to his confirmation openly praised his decision to step aside.
"I think that was an excellent move on behalf of the incoming President," Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said -- though it's not clear if Trump directed Gaetz to withdraw.
"I think it was a sound decision. I think it was important," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who had been among those publicly projecting serious concern about Gaetz's nomination.
Asked if she was relieved, Murkowski said, "I am. I think it was the right decision."
Sen. Mike Rounds, who had also expressed some concerns about Gaetz, said the move to withdraw was the "right decision to make."
"There was perhaps some information out there that the president was not aware of when he made the original recommendation. Part of this process is, the information comes out, and then at that point, as people re-evaluate or evaluate, you know, the president or the individual candidate may decide it's not the right time to pursue the nomination," Rounds said. "It may very well have been because of advice from the Senate rather than consent from the Senate."
Not all senators were as open on their views.
"That's obviously a decision he came to, and I think everybody had to make a decision that's good for them and their family. And for whatever reason he decided not to pursue it," Sen. John Thune, the incoming Republican leader, said.
When pressed on whether he felt it was the right choice, he said, "We respect his decision."
Many Republican senators said they were taken by surprise.
"I learned about it the same way everyone else did, by reading the announcement," Sen. Ted Cruz, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee and met with Gaetz on Wednesday, said.
-ABC News' Allison Pecorin
